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Myths about macronutrients are everywhere, and there’s a good chance you’ve gotten some incorrect information on this important health tool. As an online health and fitness coach, I want to bust some of these macros myths for you. I’ve been there, done that, when it comes to “eating clean” and working out for hours a day. I’ve learned what is and is not sustainable (hint: it’s not giving up pizza and wine forever, or hurting yourself in the gym to achieve an unrealistic number on the scale).
I’m not going to tell you that you HAVE to do something a particular way, either. I’m just here to educate you and give you the most accurate information regarding macros. Ultimately, YOU get to decide if macro tracking is the best option for your health and wellness goals, and how you want to live your life.
Psssst… if you’re totally new to macronutrients, check out this blog on the basics.
Ready to start tracking macros? It’s time to dig into some of the most common myths out there.
Myth #1: High fat food makes you fat.
I’m not sure when this idea first originated, but it’s so not true. Honestly, it makes me cringe! We NEED healthy fats in our diets for additional energy and to keep our bodies insulated properly. Avocados, nuts, and nut butter (peanut butter, anyone?!), fatty fish (salmon and tuna), and dark chocolate are just a few examples of incredibly nutritious — and delicious — fatty foods.
Eating these foods in the optimal amount your body needs will not harm you and will not make you fat. Don’t be afraid to add more of this macronutrient into your diet!
Myth #2: Carbs are bad for you, and can make you fat.
Carbs have gotten a bad rap for SO long and I’m ready to change that. People are so intimidated when it comes to eating carbs (especially women), no thanks to all of the low-carb diets out there telling us we need to cut them. This macronutrient is what actually gives our body energy! If you’re limiting carbohydrates, your major organs like the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver start to suffer, as well as your central nervous system. Your body is literally not able to keep up with everyday life and you’re more likely to feel exhausted even after a nap or full night’s sleep.
Carbs will not make you fat and will not lead to inflammation in your body — it doesn’t work like that! Don’t believe everything you see and hear from fitness influencers and “gurus” on social media. Sure, if you’re only eating carbs and no proteins or healthy fats, you might gain weight or notice some inflammation. But when you’re eating the right carbs in the right amounts, you won’t have those issues! Carbs are NECESSARY for our bodies!
Yep, I’m here to tell you that you can eat donuts and pizza, and still make positive progress with your health goals!
Myth #3: Macros are only for athletes.
Tracking your macros is not something that can only be done for a particular type of person. Athletes may be eating and working out in different ways, depending on what type of training or sport they’re doing, but tracking macros is not exclusive to them. Again, this is something we can all benefit from, because everyone needs macronutrients to function and thrive.
Myth #4: You have to track macros forever.
I don’t want you to think that if you start tracking your macros, you will have to EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. for the rest of your life. I repeat: you do NOT have to track your macros forever! It can take some time to figure out the ideal amount of macronutrients your body needs for your particular health goals, but once you do, you’ll find foods that fuel your body and help you hit your macros consistently. You’ll also be able to get to the point where you’re eating intuitively, which is an amazing place to be.
I don’t want you to be scared or embarrassed to share macro-tracking with your loved ones. If you have kids and want to help them understand what you’re doing (not dieting, but fueling your body to feel energized), I wrote this post about teaching your kids more about macros and how they can be involved, too.
Myth #5: Macros are just another fad diet.
I feel like every time I turn around, another new, fad diet is out there. Keto, paleo, Whole30, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Atkins — these are just a few that come to mind (I’m sure there are new ones I just don’t know about yet because I don’t feed into the fad diet noise online).
Tracking your macros is NOT a type of diet, and it’s not the newest, quick-fix trend your Mom and best friend are doing (and probably hate because they can’t eat carbs or fats… let’s be real). It’s actually a fantastic tool you can use to lose fat, gain muscle, and just prioritize a healthy life you love! Getting healthy and staying that way does NOT have to suck
If you take anything away from this post, I want to make sure you know that tracking macros can be a really fulfilling (and filling) way to reach your fitness goals with food! I wouldn’t be living this way today and educating my clients this way, too, if it was freaking terrible. No one wants to be deprived of their favorite foods and be constantly monitoring the scale. I want you to be able to enjoy ALL of the holidays, birthday parties, date nights, and vacations, and still be aligned with your health goals.
Take macros into your own hands
If you’re feeling pulled to get healthier and think tracking your macros may be the right way for you to do so, I want to invite you to join my macros program. You’ll get guidance on your macro tracking every step of the way, and this DIY program will teach you simple ways to progress with your nutrition, fitness, and mindset. No extremes; just clear help on identifying your macro numbers and how to adapt them as you progress through your goals..
A healthy and happy life is attainable, and I’m going to show you how to make it happen, with PROGRAM NAME! Sign up now for just $349. Normally, my 1:1 macro work with clients can cost upwards of $1,500, so this is a great deal.
